Srinagar, Oct 1: Bandipora has become the first district in Kashmir to install CCTV cameras in all its high schools and higher secondary schools, with official figures confirming full coverage across 107 institutions.
Other districts, particularly private schools, are now following suit as concerns mount over student safety amid rising cases of sexual harassment.
Speaking to Kashmir Convener, Deputy Chief Education officer Bandipora Gm Puju said the district has installed CCTVs at critical locations in all 107 High and higher secondary schools of the district.
The installation drive follows directives from Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister Sakeena Itoo, who had ordered mandatory installation of CCTV cameras in and around educational institutions amid serious concerns over rampant drug abuse among youth. She had also emphasised the importance of regular health and behavioural screenings in colleges and schools for early detection and timely counselling of vulnerable students.
Earlier this year, the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Srinagar also directed all government and private schools to install CCTV cameras in school buses, constitute child protection committees, and ensure mandatory training of staff on child protection laws. The CWC said these measures were aimed at ensuring a safe, secure, and child-friendly environment in educational institutions.
Speaking to Kashmir Convener, Deputy Chief Education officer Bandipora Gm Puju highlighted the multifaceted benefits of the monitoring system, stating that its impact extends well beyond security.
CCTV is very important because outsiders do not intrude into the school premises knowing that they are under surveillance reducing damages to the infrastructure. He said the CCTV surveillance has also given a sense of security to the students, especially female students.
“We are well monitored. Our facility is also very good, and the teaching and learning process is also very good. Even if someone does not want to deliver a lecture, cctv forces them to teach,” said a student.
Listing the key advantages, the GM Puju said the foremost benefit is the creation of a safe and secure environment for students and staff. “Secondly, we have secure properties in terms of school buildings, toilets, etc. We have also seen that after school hours, there is a lot of noise in the school grounds, especially before school starts or after school closes at 4 o’clock. We were afraid that the property would be damaged”.
He said the presence of cameras has also led to a noticeable improvement in discipline. “By installing CCTV cameras, the discipline in our school has increased. The students feel that they are safe in their school. In addition to this, the Head of the Institution (HYI) of our school is watching the classroom activities in their rooms”.
While Bandipora has achieved complete coverage, other districts in Kashmir are still in the process of implementing the directives. Private schools in various districts have begun following the precautionary steps to ensure a safe and peaceful environment for students, especially in light of the rising incidents of sexual harassment.
Officials said the move is part of a broader effort to modernise and secure educational infrastructure in the region, with authorities viewing surveillance as a key tool for ensuring student welfare and institutional accountability.
Officials said the focus remains on high schools and higher secondary schools, where students are more vulnerable and where incidents of harassment and drug abuse have raised alarm bells in recent months.
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